From the Desk of Senator Jack M. Martins

There was a lot going on, but I didn’t forget. Even though the last year was widely recognized as one of the most successful for the New York Legislature in decades, for most of us, progress is still measured on the streets where we live, right in our own neighborhoods.

You may recall reading that there were a number of community grants awarded by the state in 2009 and 2010 under my predecessor that were inexplicably withdrawn before I took office. Needless to say, this created hardship for many of our communities. Having been a local mayor, I am particularly conscious of how unfair the whole thing was, so I promised to try and win back as much as possible. It was no easy task considering we weren’t left much of a paper trail, but one thing I’ve learned in government, and I guess in life, is that tenacity usually pays off. It’s how we got this funding restored. So without further ado, here’s a summary of some of the grants for local projects we were able to get funded this past year:

Village of East Williston Fire Department - $100,000 for renovations and new computer network

Town of North Hempstead - $500,000 for restoration of the Schumacher House

Great Neck School District - $100,000 for new parking lot for buses and other district vehicles

These were monies that were promised, planned for, and sometimes spent with the expectation that the state would be true to its word. That’s why I’m pleased to have delivered it, helping make these communities whole again. And we’re not done yet. For those communities that are still waiting on what they were promised, I assure you that I’m still fighting for you.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. Should there be anything I can do for you or your family, please don’t hesitate to reach out.